Bahamas golf scholarship for promising Karnataka teen Pranavi Urs

By Rahul Banerji 

Promising Mysore teenager Pranavi Urs has been offered a $100,000 golf scholarship to the Albany Academy in the Bahamas.

The 14-year-old’s resume includes a win in a pro tournament on the Indian women’s circuit – the ninth leg of the Hero WGAI tour at the Eagleton in Bangalore.

She will also be entered into local tournaments in the USA by the Academy.

Pranavi attracted attention as she kept her stats on the golf application “Upgame” founded and developed by Sameer Sawhney, himself a former amateur golfer-turned entrepreneur.

Pranavi, Class 8 student at the National Public School in Mysore, has represented India at the Malaysian Open and Asia Pacific Queen Sirkit Cup in China, performing well in both.

She also performed well at the 2017 Hero Women’s Indian Open finishing as the best performing amateur.

Earlier she earned selection to the Indian team by finishing second in the national trials held at Delhi in February last year. She is the daughter of Sharath Chandra Raj and Kaivalya Urs.

Encouraged by her parents, Pranavi took to golf at 8 and after success in a zonal sub-junior tournament the next year, she started playing the game seriously and has made steady progress since then.

According to Pranavi, she maintained her stats on ‘Upgame’ which enabled the Albany-based Mitchell Spearman Academy review her performances and areas of strength.

Chasing a dream

The scholarship will cover her tuition fees, living expenses and tournament fees, which in turn will allow Pranavi to pursue her lifelong dream of playing on the LPGA tour.

Spearman is the founder of the Mitchell Spearman Academy at Albany. He has coached and helped both golfers for over 30 years, including Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Billy Hurley III and Sandra Gal.

Spearman monitored Pranavi’s tournament statistics after accessing them on the app over a period of time.

Said Spearman: “Apart from her immaculate tournament record, Pranavi’s stats have shown a steady improvement across all areas.

“We are thrilled that Upgame enabled us to identify Pranavi and we are happy to have her and her family on board.”

Pranavi’s coach so far has been Steven Giuliano, who helped her get to this stage and from here Mitchell and Giuiliano will work in close collaboration.

Added the elated Pranavi, “I am really excited about the scholarship programme in the Bahamas at the Albany Golf Academy.

“Albany’s championship course and facility looks amazing. I am positive this will definitely take my game to the next level.”

Interestingly, Albany is also known as the venue of the Hero World Challenge along with the Tiger Woods Foundation.

“Mr. Pawan Munjal’s personal involvement and support in Albany was also instrumental in creating this opportunity for young Indian golfers, like Pranavi” Sawhney said.

Pranavi  will join the academy in October and Spearman is convinced that she may well be the first of a number of talented golfers from India whom he will support.

He will continue to collaborate with Upgame to identify talented golfers worldwide.

Upgame has a strong presence in India and South East Asia. It will be expanding into other parts of the world soon

Also read: Indian Teenager Hitaashee Bakshi wins at Hong Kong Golf